WZDX’s Nine O’clock News will be produced by WAAY 31. The Fox affiliate started doing weekday 9 p.m. newscasts in 2008 that were produced by the Independent News Network in Davenport, Iowa.

WAAY news director Keith Lowhorne said Ellis Eskew, who previously reported for WHNT-TV, will be anchoring along with Chase Gallimore, a Madison County native. Gallimore graduated from Madison County High and Auburn University. He’s been working in Victoria, Texas and will anchor for Channel 54 and report for WAAY.

Also working at Channel 54 are Dale Bader, who has been WAAY’s weekend meteorologist, along with Ronnie Duncan and Kyle Burger in sports for both Channels 31 and 54.

Lowhorne also said he’s hired Rebecca Shlien as a reporter, who has worked at Channel 54; former WHNT meteorologist Chris Davis, who is a professor at Calhoun, as a meteorologist; and Brian Davis, a Muscle Shoals native, as a meteorologist. All on air talent, reporters and anchors will be able to report for both WAAY and WZDX, Lowhorne said.

Behind the scenes, Lowhorne promoted Lisa Screws to nightside executive producer, Mike Brown to multimedia producer and five others to fill various operational positions.“We are excited to see all the changes in our newsroom,” Lowhorne said. “With the 31-54 partnership, we have more people doing more news and that is important to our viewers.”WAAY’s new 4 p.m. newscast kicked off last Monday.